On November 20, 2015, V Citizens Action Network (VCAN) Partnered with Social Media Week Mumbai 2015, to show how Technology has been used to promote Social Causes through TogetherVCAN’s Social Sanchars.

The Special 6th TogetherVCAN’s Social Sanchar focused on MySafetyMyLife, was held with Guest Speaker Mr. Milind Bharambe, Jt. Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Mumbai, at Social Media Week Mumbai 2015. The event was at ISDI, One Indiabulls Center, Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400012.

The Social Sanchar was preceded by a very successful Tweet Chat on the campaign #MySafetyMyLife with Mr. Milind Bharambe, on November 15, 2015, which was the UN declared Road Accidents Victims Remembrance Day.

The Tweet Chat generated about 13 Lakh Views and was Trending at No. 1 position in Mumbai and India levels. This happened in just the one-hour chat where Citizens’ questions on the Mumbai City’s traffic were answered by Mr. Bharambe, in real time.

At the Social Sanchar, Managing Trustee of V Citizens Action Network, Mrs. Indrani Malkani, who moderated the Social Sanchar, introduced the campaign, noting that Road Safety has become an issue of concern at National as well at the International level. The United Nations has rightly proclaimed 2011-20 as the Decade of Action on Road Safety.

Over the years, the significant growth of vehicles on road has been the leading cause of accidents resulting into deaths, disabilities and hospitalizations with severe socio-economic costs across the country.

As per the Government of India Report 2014 – “During the year 2014, there were around 4.89 lakhs road accidents which killed about 1.40 lakh people and injured more than 4.93 lakh persons in India. The analysis of road accident data 2014 reveals that about 56 accidents take place and 16 lives are lost every hour on an average in our country. In India, 53.8 per cent road accident victims are in the age group of 15 to 34 years. Further, drivers’ fault (78.8 per cent) has been found as the single most important factor responsible for road accidents.”

“In support of the UN Proclamation of declaring 2011-20 as the Decade of Action on Road Safety, we have taken the pledge “My Safety, My Life” and work together to address Road Safety concerns in our communities!

Instead of thinking that Our Safety is in the hands of others, we must ensure that we ourselves do all we can to ensure safety on roads; if everyone thinks this way, we can actually achieve safer road conditions and reduce fatalities from traffic accidents.It is our Responsibility to be Safe on Roads and the Campaign MySafetyMyLife will be ongoing!”

Mr. Bharambe stated that the challenges faced by the Traffic Police in managing the Traffic is dependent on many stakeholder agencies such as MCGM, MMRDA, MSRDC, and PWD who are responsible for the infrastructure of roads, bridges, signalling system etc. Another important stakeholder is the Regional Transport Organisation (RTO), an agency which is commonly confused with the Traffic Police. The RTO actually does the evaluation of one’s ability to drive a vehicle as well as the fitness of vehicles and issues respective permits and licenses. The Elected Representatives are yet another very important stakeholder, as they frame the Law, and the Central Motor Vehicles Act, by which Traffic related issues and Vehicles are governed.

The Traffic Police, is an enforcement agency vis-a-vis regulation of traffic and enforcement of Law and from such a perspective, there are very many stake holders in the traffic management of a city. Technology has come in very handy and the Traffic Police’s intent to connect with people has got them to launch a Mumbai Traffic Police Helpline. This info helpline 8454 999 999 not only gives you traffic advisory (roads with heavy traffic, routes to avoid, routes to take) but also route advisory, especially for people who do not know how to reach a destination.

Incident Reporting is also a feature available where citizens can register traffic violations. A mobile app MTPcall has also been launched for the android platform, where any incident can be reported with pictures / videos and immediate action will be taken after verification. There will be many location based services which also would be offered. A revamped Traffic Warden Scheme will be launched soon, where citizens’ participation in traffic management will be crucial. The Traffic department is also coming up with Virtual Training Centers at their Headquarters, which will reach out and engage the community, in their different endeavours. Citizens’ participation in traffic management, hence, will change the face of Mumbai.

Mr. Bharambe emphasised that, it is the endeavour of the Mumbai Traffic Police to empower the Citizens of Mumbai with knowledge about the various issues and challenges related to Traffic issues.

Mr. V. Ranganathan, Trustee of V Citizens Action Network and former Chief Secretary, Maharashtra State, spoke of his thoughts on Road Safety and the way that Citizens should Interact and strengthen the Government. There has been a disconnect between the Public Servants and the Public; very often citizens feel they do not get the services for which they’re paying and on the other hand the latter is of the opinion that people do not have civic sense. Social Media has emerged as a very powerful and effective force that can bridge the divide between the government and public. Hence, programs like Social Media Week are important.

Mr. D. Sivanandhan, Trustee of V Citizens Action Network and former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, and Director General Maharashtra, made it known that Traffic Management is based on three aspects: Education, Engineering and Enforcement. While the traffic department takes care of the enforcement part, Social Media can play an integral role in involving citizens with education and engineering. India loses about 1.4 lakh people through accidents, 70% of which are motorcyclists, who do not use helmets. Social Media networks will find it easy to reach out to most citizens to impart education on safety measures on the roads.

Questions were taken online as well as from the in house audience. Some are given below along with Mr. Bharambe’s answer:

Q: (i) The primary duty of the Traffic Police is to control traffic but many a times policemen are focussed on collecting fines by the roadside instead of focussing on the traffic, which is in a mess. (ii) At Bandra station, auto rickshaws dominate instead of the rule of law with no policemen around.
Ans: We always run the dichotomy of regulation and enforcement. In developed countries, one hardly sees policemen on the roads, which is because of good engineering vis-a-vis fly overs, under passes, signage, road markings etc. Moreover, drivers are given licenses only after very strict checking. Also, the laws are so stringent with high fine amount, which acts as a deterrent, because of which one follows the Law. In Mumbai, at signalised junctions where there are no policemen, it is the tendency even of the educated class, to jump signals. While comparing and expecting, we must compare it with the society in which we live in. Police is involved with enforcement of law but is usually caught up with regulation due to lack of amenities. The chaos at Bandra station needs more response from the Traffic Police and this will surely be looked into.

Q: Make Jay walking punishable as jaywalkers pose risk to their and others lives
Ans: Jaywalking is already punishable under the Mumbai Police Act. The issue is mainly a social issue – the better civic amenities we have and the more incentives given with better enforcements, things are likely to fall in place in a better way. For instance, at many junctions, there are no sub ways or sky walks where people tend to cross, but at several places, in spite of these facilities people refuse to use it. At such places, enforcement needs to come in, which requires technology, man power and other resources. With better education and citizen participation, Jaywalking can be eliminated.

Q: There should be at least more communication between traffic cops and general public
Ans: We have already started that through such Social Sanchars, as the one in progress, and will have many more to come.

Q: Can we incentivise volunteers who help regulate traffic along with the Police as their work is effective
Ans: For a population like ours along with 25 lakh vehicles and 3500 policemen working in 3 shifts, hardly 1200 policemen are available to cover the entire city at any given point of time. Hence, public participation is invited through the Traffic Warden scheme. The scheme of Traffic Wardens is going to be relaunched where all stake holders will be requested to become sponsors for the betterment of the city. The Wardens will be paid Rs. 12,000 as honorarium. NGOs contribution through free man power will always be welcome. Proper uniforms and training will also be provided.

Q: Can people trying to cross the roads, when the signal is green for vehicles, be fined?
Ans: It is the civic authority that needs to create a pedestrian crossing, a zebra crossing, appropriate signal timings etc. At the same time, there has been a drastic increase in people and vehicle population but the amount of space for use on roads haven’t increased. Hence, everybody is striving for the same space on the road – regulation and enforcement becomes a challenge – that is where education and self-restraint will help put things in order. A stronger Law is already in the process of being tabled in Parliament and is expected to come through in a couple of months. Harsher law will be a better deterrent and help in enforcement.

Q: (1) Police hire private towing vehicles to pick up 2 wheelers on the road. It is allowed as per RTO norms. (2) Heavy vehicles usually drive from right side of the road (3) Transporters on Kesavji Naik road park vehicles in middle of the road to load cargo. I have informed the traffic officers to fine them but officers refuse to take action. Also the service road is also occupied by these transporters. It becomes very difficult for the citizens to walk on the roads especially in the evening. Hope to get solution on the same.
Ans: (1) Police is authorised to tow vehicles. (2) That’s a part of education more than of enforcement as it is risky and difficult for a policemen to regulate heavy vehicles from right to left. (3) That’s an enforcement issue, which the Traffic Police should take care of.

A Member in the audience appreciated the Police Bandobast and about the wonderful arrangements made by the Police for lakhs of people at Juhu for the Chhat Puja.

Citizens were requested to send in their questions via SMS or Twitter, which will be passed on to Jt. C. P. Bharambe for his responses.

To view the photos of the TogetherVCAN’s Social Sanchar 6, click here.

Comments

5 Responses to TOGETHERVCAN’S SOCIAL SANCHAR WITH SHRI MILIND BHARAMBE

My Name is Satyanand Gaitonde I was born in Mumbai and I feel that I should share what I feel about my City. My city was like heaven during my childhood. Clean roads, less pollution and less traffic till 1980 but then things started changing over the years my city became polluted and dirty. I left Mumbai in 1996 for Canada as I got migrated but my heart used to break every time for my city I used to travel on vacation.

In order to do better and change outlook of my city I worked on traffic proposal by meeting numerous people who have traffic expertise all over the world and I came up with a solution that I think could be of benefit to my city.

I traveled all the way from Canada with great solution for Mumbai Traffic as I had great experience with police service here and I meet DCP Chavan he understood my idea and took me to Joint CP bharambe after discussion but when I meet him I was completely disappointed with CP Bharambe as man had so much ego and he thought I am some stupid person he gave me 15 minutes and when I told him idea about car pulling he gave very irresponsible statement saying if you do car pull how TATA general manager will travel. I left his office with no hope and came back to Canada then I contacted Traffic Commissioner Vardhane and told him, all its 3 months since then I am waiting to do something for city but no one is there for me. Its a tragedy of our country that they dont want intelligent experienced person like me. I will fight my issue as CP has limit for his post but my agenda for my city does not. Jai Hind.

I realized whatever CP Bharmbe says he has no feelings for my city Mumbai and he was just completing his terms. Even my entire proposal I gave it to him and he did not let me even elaborate as from his point of view I was no one but mind you I grew up in Mumbai and I care for my city even I live in abroad. It was my wish to make Mumbai like Toronto but it is not possible as long as people like Bharambe in CP chair.

Mumbai Traffic Issues and our system
After I had disappointed meeting with CP Bharambe Traffic I decided to meet Shiv Sena Vibhag Parmukh Sakpal Nhau as through him I thought of meeting Diwakar Raote who is Transport Minister. Bhau gave me time to see him in his office evening 6 pm in Girgaon. I traveled all the way from Dahisar and waited 2 hours in his office neither he showed up nor he picked up my call. I meet then activist Rishi Agarwal who told me Mr Gaitonde I understand your feelings for Mumbai city and I feel same but you are banging your head on the wall as end of the road in system you will meet people like CP Bharambe who will not let you do anything and will not care about you. Rishi Agarwal also had similar experience with CP Bharambe now after that 3 months I followed with Transport Commissioner Vardhane and then two week before I texted him he promised to get back to me and its two weeks now. They always say there is light at end of tunnel I hope I find that light soon for our Mumbai Traffic. Jai Hind.

CP Bharambe must care for his people
While I am fighting issue on our Mumbai traffic system. I saw by my own eyes how much suffering traffic cops go through in Mumbai while in abroad we have separate department for by law enforcement which does tagging, towing of vehicles who obstruct. They also look after abandoned vehicles. In Mumbai Traffic cops go through all jobs and it is too much for their size and number of vehicles we have. I also try to put this point with CP Bharambe besides car pulling we create a By law enforcement it will make big change I told him but he had no interest in listening as he was just waiting for me to leave while I was talking I was interrupted several times with his personal assistant for no reason and I was told to leave in short I was kicked out. CP forgot I was foreigner who traveled from so far because I care for Mumbai and I had no selfish motto but rather than appreciating my effort he looked at me as some silly civilian who just came to his office to bug him and same time he did not want to accept his challenge as he dose not care much for poor traffic cop who suffers on streets of Mumbai and I realized that. But time will change for Mumbai soon with new system will fall in place one day. As our environment is fully destroyed in Mumbai with no natural mangrove but CP Bharambe said to me environment is different issue and not of his concern while mind you pollution and environment goes hand to hand and traffic dose create pollution we all agree. Jai Hind.

Mumbai city need car pull and practically all rush hour time on major arteries minimum 4 people should travel. I found solution with my north American traffic expertise and I spend lots of time in Mumbai explaining this to people during my visit in Mumbai. Finally I reached CP Bharambe and my journey ended their with negative and arrogant attitude. As my solution for rush hour was tossed about car pull telling me how TATA GM will travel. Besides I was also requesting him that all transport truck should do deliveries in night and we need to create By law enforcement department of civilian who will support cops during rush hour but CP Bharambe was in no mood to listen as he is from Nagpur on deputation and who cares if people waste all their life in rush hour. I also told CP Bharambe that it is creating bad effect on environment and he said its not my issue. I tried telling that Mumbai has thousands of abandoned vehicles and if we have By Law department they will help in towing that will have great impact on rush hour. I was willing to stay with my own will and help Mumbai traffic Police to set up this and DCP Chavan Traffic Police North Zone was in favor but CP Bharambe thought me as an idiot.